Huawei nova 10 Youth vs Google Pixel 7a: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Huawei nova 10 Youth offers rapid 66W charging and a familiar design, while the Google Pixel 7a brings Google’s Tensor G2 chip and renowned computational photography to a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects these two devices, focusing on where each excels and who will benefit most from their strengths.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera quality and long-term software support, the Google Pixel 7a is the clear winner. Its Tensor G2 chipset delivers superior processing power and enables advanced features. However, the Huawei nova 10 Youth’s incredibly fast charging is a compelling advantage for those who value convenience above all else.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 10 Youth Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8
Launch
Announced2023, March 042023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 04Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 Splash and dust resistantIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzOLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G710 MP7
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad108 MP, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)-
Triple108 MP, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP, (macro) 2 MP, (depth)-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min 5W reverse wired18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsJLN-AL00GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 230 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

Huawei nova 10 Youth

  • Incredibly fast 66W charging
  • Sleek and modern design
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 680G chipset
  • Potentially weaker camera performance
  • Limited software update support

Google Pixel 7a

  • Powerful Google Tensor G2 processor
  • Excellent camera quality with computational photography
  • Guaranteed software updates from Google

  • Slower 18W wired charging
  • Lower charging wattage than the competition
  • No expandable storage

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1070 nits, compared to an unstated brightness for the nova 10 Youth. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize OLED panels, the Pixel 7a’s higher peak brightness and Google’s color calibration offer a more vibrant and accurate viewing experience. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rates for power saving.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a major strength. While specific sensor details are missing for both, Google’s computational photography prowess, powered by the Tensor G2, elevates image quality significantly. The Pixel 7a excels in low-light conditions and offers features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur. The nova 10 Youth likely relies more on hardware and less on software processing, potentially resulting in less dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting scenarios. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro lens found on both, the Pixel 7a’s image processing pipeline is the key differentiator.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2, fabricated on a 5nm process, is a substantial upgrade over the Huawei nova 10 Youth’s Snapdragon 680G (6nm). The Tensor G2’s octa-core configuration, featuring Cortex-X1 and A78 cores, provides significantly more processing power for demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. The Snapdragon 680G, while efficient, relies on older Cortex-A73 cores and will struggle with more intensive applications. This difference is further amplified by the Pixel 7a’s likely faster RAM (LPDDR5x is expected, while the nova 10 Youth likely uses LPDDR4x).

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, suggesting good battery life despite its 18W charging. The nova 10 Youth, however, shines with its 66W wired charging, capable of reaching 60% in just 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes. This is a massive advantage for users who need a quick power boost. While the Pixel 7a supports 7.5W wireless charging, the nova 10 Youth offers 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to top up other devices, albeit slowly. The faster charging speed of the nova 10 Youth effectively mitigates any potential battery capacity disadvantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 10 Youth if you need exceptionally fast charging and prioritize a sleek design over top-tier processing power or camera capabilities. It’s ideal for users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery quickly. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prefer a superior camera experience, smoother performance for demanding tasks, and guaranteed software updates directly from Google, making it a better long-term investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 680G in the nova 10 Youth struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680G is a mid-range chipset and will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential stuttering, especially during intense combat sequences. The Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does Google’s software update policy affect the long-term usability of the Pixel 7a compared to the nova 10 Youth?
Google guarantees at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches for the Pixel 7a. Huawei’s update commitment for the nova 10 Youth is less clear and typically shorter. This means the Pixel 7a will remain secure and benefit from new features for a significantly longer period, extending its usable lifespan.
❓ Is the 7.5W wireless charging on the Pixel 7a a practical charging solution?
While convenient, the 7.5W wireless charging on the Pixel 7a is relatively slow. It’s best suited for overnight charging or occasional top-ups. It won’t provide the rapid charging speeds offered by the nova 10 Youth’s 66W wired charging.